‘Zero-givers’ proving less than charitable

One in four people in Britain give little or nothing to charity, new research has revealed.
One in four Brits give little, or nothing, to charity. Picture: Greg MacveanOne in four Brits give little, or nothing, to charity. Picture: Greg Macvean
One in four Brits give little, or nothing, to charity. Picture: Greg Macvean

A report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which promotes charitable giving and provides financial services to not-for-profit organisations, has highlighted a gulf in society between those who do the most for good causes and those who make a minimal contribution.

The foundation said that just 9 per cent of people give 66 per cent of the overall time and money donated to charities – a group the organisation described as the country’s “civic core”. Just over two thirds, 67 per cent, are in the “middle ground” of giving, accounting for the remaining 34 per cent of charitable activity.

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But some 24 per cent do little or nothing for charity, identified by CAF as “zero-givers”.

John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “This report raises serious questions about the nature of society in 21st century Britain.

“Britain is one of the most charitable countries in the world, yet this research shows a stark divide in society between those who do the most for good causes and those who do little if anything at all.”

“It is a worrying fact that nearly one in four people do very little if anything to support charities which are at the forefront of civil society.”

The findings also clearly expose the difference in attitudes between the most and least charitable groups of people in the country.

According to the survey, 90 per cent of the most charitable group say “hello” to people in the street, compared with 64 per cent of the “zero-givers”.

More than half – 51 per cent – of the “civic core” say most of their friends are involved in social causes, compared with just 7 per cent of “zero-givers”.

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